well, i was born into a muslim family in egypt, but i was raised in america. we were never really big on doing any of the traditions (other than refraining from eating pork) and for a long time i just felt really really disconnected from my family and my culture because of our lack of following any of the traditions, and this year is the first year where i feel like i have the strength to fast. i think it’ll be really good for me, idk it may sound stupid but i’ve never felt that close to my heritage and i did some research and i talked with my mom and i’m hoping that i can start taking part in many of the traditions that i never really paid much attention to, and i hope that in a way that can make me feel more in touch with where i come from. whenever ramadan would come around these past few years and i would see all my fellow muslims on here talking about how good it made them feel and how great it all was, i just kind of felt guilty. this year, i’m going with my dad to visit family and to celebrate eid with them, and i want to be able to feel more at home with them. maybe i’m wrong but i think this is a good way for me to really start embracing this side of my culture. i just wanted a way to feel connected to my home. i want to be able to say i’m a muslim without feeling guilty because of how bad i am at being one. i want to be able to feel like i am an actual part of the muslim community, both on this website and when i’m with my family.